NGD: I Did My Best to Resist (Godin Content?)

Congrats on a great find.

Art & Lutherie Guitars are a subsidiary of Godin guitars (the parent company), as are Seagull Guitars, Simon & Patrick Guitars, Norman Guitars, and La Patrie Guitars. So while not identical to Seagull, it is still Godin quality.

 

I beleive the A&L of that era is all laminate Wild Cherry, (they have drastically reworked the A&L line and the present guitars are very different than the originals) 'Gulls have either Cedar or Spruce tops IIRC, and the straight pull peg head, S&P are similar w/ a traditional peg head and often offer the option of more advanced finishes & "bling'. A&L was at the time the entry level line, but as mentioned still built to the same standards. I bought one for around $200 new 10+ years ago, When I found a S&P in a local shop for $100 I straight traded it..

 

On the bright side, you walked out with a guitar. ;-)

 

I have a godin nylon string synth guitar , I love it it was one of the first lefthanded units they made , this one is made in montreal , Ilove it!

nice findBTW and you cant argue the price, kudos

 

Well, it's not "basically a Godin" any more than an Epi is "basically a Gibson." There's a reason why they keep the brand names separate. Or, rather, innumerable reasons, including choice of materials, design, assembly, and, well, you name it. There's increasing value for money at the inexpensive guitar level, but there are also very real differences with the more expensive lines. That doesn't have to be a problem at all, depending on what you are looking for.

 

Having worked for many years at a Godin dealer that also carried A&L and Seagull, that is definitely laminated cherry back and sides with a cedar top, same as the most basic Seagull S6. AFAIK they don't put the Godin name on any acoustics other than the thinline Multiac models. All other acoustics are either A&L, Seagull, S&P, or Norman, which I've never seen anywhere in the US. I think Norman branded guitars aren't distributed south of the border.

 

There are no Godin acoustics (at least not any longer) because the umbrella company is actually "La Si Do" and Godin is the electric division, some how that has gotten flipped a bit.
At one time Sam Ash carried Normans that appeared to be very similar to the OP's guitar, but in more traditional tan or brown finishes in place of the bright colors that many early A&L's sported; but that's been 15+ years ago and i haven't seen any since. There are also other acoustics that pop up from time to time, including some interesting classicals (La Patrie brand I believe)that have truss rods and internal bolt on necks. I had a steel string come in to the shop that was laminate with a thin veneer of very flamey Canadian maple..can't remember the name they used but when I contacted them i receive a interesting reply " Yes that is one of ours, a experiment from the early years we decided not to pursue," It sounded Ok but not as nice as the later guitars.

As they are made in the same plants but the same folks a better analogy might be Gibson and Kalamazoo, there are differences, but they are not a outsourced, contractual, off shore product, and share many design and material parameters.

 

double post..Sloooooooooow board >.<

 

Actually, they JUST launched a new line of Godin-branded acoustics in the $1500 to $1800 price bracket. They look interesting; even if I'm not a fan of the pickguard, they were smart to do something unique aesthetically.
https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/28327-godin-guitars-launches-debut-line-of-acoustic-guitars

 

Probably because people kept demanding Godin acoustic in the shops!
"I know they make them, where are you hiding them.. out with it..!

 

You're right about La Patrie, which is their nylon string line, and are very nice guitars at competitive prices. We sold a lot of them, and the name is derived from the name of the town in Quebec where their factory is.

 

Oddly enough I saw a second hand Norman in a local shop today..

 

Thanks for bringing up LaSiDo. That is indeed Robert Godin's private corporation (I forgot). And I think you are correct that Godin, Seagull, A&L, S&P, La Patrie, etc. are all divisions of the same legal entity, his LaSido corporation, not subsidiaries as I stated (which would require separate incorporation for each).

 

Here is a good overview of Robert's history from meeting Norman Boucher to becoming the largest acoustic guitar producer in North America:

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/lasido-inc-history/

 

I just took a look at the label. It actually identifies the woods and the percent of each used. Pretty cool. Wild cherry B&S, Maple neck (guessing), Walnut bridge & fretboard (guessing), Cedar top, Spruce bracing.

 

nice looking old girl. i have an A&L that i picked up on the cheap a long time ago. its a nice sounding guitar. i like the neck width and string spacing. its a bit wider than a lot of acoustics so its nice for finger picking and what not.

 

$150. You couldn't not. Godin rocks.

 

PS - Life wouldn't be worth living without a flattop. I'm a dread man, myself.